Treating Emotional Trauma with Chinese Medicine: Integrated Diagnostic and Treatment Strategies Illustrated Edition

CT Holman has pulled off an extraordinary and timely feat. His book manages to capture the essence of clinical practice while at the same time honoring the legacy of the Chinese medicine classics. The topic of emotional trauma is so critical in this age of the ever-widening gap in body and mind/heart/spirit. Depression, anxiety, grief, suicidal ideation, and trauma are so ubiquitous that we as medicine practitioners are inundated with cases. Drug therapies have been so over-prescribed and under-performing that the general population is crying out for natural and preventative remedies, as well as ancient perspectives. Treating Emotional Trauma with Chinese Medicine fills a gap in the education of Chinese medicine practitioners. By focusing on how Chinese medicine can treat emotional trauma, it builds a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern practice. It shines a light in the direction of deep integration between Eastern medicine and Western psychology. Every Chinese medicine school and psychology school should be using this as a textbook. Chinese medicine is by its nature soma and psyche together. When Chinese medicine declares that it treats the root of disease patterns, it must include the emotional and spiritual dimension. According to the classics, the root of every ailment and pattern begins with the heart and soul. Very few modern authors and researchers have attempted to write about how this works in clinical medicine. This is the most successful book of it's kind in doing just that.

This book is a real gem, not only for those interested in treating trauma, but for practitioners of Chinese Medicine interested in expanding their diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. C.T. has studied with many outstanding contemporary teachers, some of whom I have also had the pleasure of studying with (Dr. Wei-Chieh Young, Jason Robertson, Lilian Bridges). He has integrated their knowledge and his personal clinical experience into a book that guides the clinician through identifying patterns and applying effective treatments as well as offering advice, guidance, and personal tools to patients such as Qi Gong, dietary therapy, etc.The pattern identification expands the basic symptomology by adding and explaining aspects of facial diagnosis, channel palpation, Shen-Hammer pulse diagnostics and other characteristics. This is followed by herbal formulas with effective modifications, potential points (including Master Tung points and some unique scalp acupuncture protocols), and bleeding techniques.Furthermore, there is an excellent section on steams and branches with seasonal considerations and therapeutic strategies based on C.T.’s studies with Master Zhongxian Wu. Overall, I find this book to be a treasure trove of information that has been filtered and tested through the author’s personal applications of the presented materials. This is a valuable and unique contribution to the Chinese Medicine community and a book that I frequently reference in my clinic.Ben Brodhead, L.Ac.Eight Cranes AcupunctureSavannah, Georgia

Clear presentations. Lots of great information. Only downside - would like more color photos of faces.

This book was incredibly eye-opening. I have not read much about Chinese medicine before and went into it a bit skeptical. However, given that I’ve been struggling to work through my emotional trauma for years now (both from childhood and more recently from a major life event) via traditional therapy and saw little progress, I was intrigued in alternative ways to approach my inner healing.The book is definitely geared towards practitioners since a large portion of the chapters goes into the technical details of various acupuncture points, but I found it insightful and helpful nonetheless.If anything, it showed me how much depth and accumulated knowledge there is around the body/mind connection from the eastern angle and how targeting the body directly (via acupuncture, herbs, etc), can help to bring more alignment into your overall well-being.After reading the book, I reached out to some practitioners in my area and I am excited to embark on this new journey to better discover my own body and mind. I am sure that I will be referring back to this book often to gain a deeper understanding along that journey.

Absolutely wonderful! More and more people are becoming aware of the impact of emotional trauma on our communities. This book is greatly needed at this time and offers healing to the world. Full of insightful clinical tools for the practitioner and many self-care techniques for everyone. A must have in every clinic!